The Newz Radar
CHAMBA: With the hoisting of the flag on the historical deodar tree of Chaurasi temple complex in Bharmour, the eight-day-long local Jatra fair started along with Manimahesh Yatra in Himachal Pradesh’s Chamba district.
The fair is organised every year by the Bharmour gram panchayat and last for eight days in the temple premises of Bharmour. It is dedicated to local deities and other gods and goddesses. The first Jatar is celebrated and dedicated as Lord Krishna’s birth, second to Lord Shiva, third to Lakhna Mata, fourth to Lord Ganesha, fifth to Lord Kartikeya, sixth to Sheetla Mata, seventh to Baba Jai Krishna Giri and the eighth to Lord Hanumana.
On the day on which the deity’s Jatra takes place, that night jagran is organised by devotees. This centuries-old tradition begins every year after Krishna Janmashtami with the hoisting of the flag on the historic Deodar tree. For the past several years, Rajesh alias Ranju Gharati, has been hoisting the flag on the historic tree, which is considered a boon from the gods.
Climbing this centuries old pine tree with 11 branches is not an easy task. The legend goes that only the person whom Lord Shiva permits can climb the tree and he automatically sees the way and climb up. Even if someone else climbs up, he not only loses sight of the way up through the eleven branches but also forgets the way back down. Therefore, Rajesh alias Ranju Gharati has been following this tradition for the last many years.
Bharmour panchayat president Anil Kumar and secretary Deepak Kumar said that this time the panchayat is organising these fairs in which ‘Star Nights’ will also be organised over the last three days along with a local cultural programme.
